Assos Village

The picturesque village of Assos is a haven of tranquility in one of Greece’s most spectacular settings in the Ionian Sea, the island of Kefalonia. The recently built Assos View villas, situated at the top of a hillside above the harbour have been thoughtfully designed to make the most of that setting.

The village lies at the heart of the spectacular cliffs of the west coast of Kefalonia, and in Venetian times would have been a remote outpost accessible only by a steep mule trail winding up the hillside. The trail itself starts just behind the village and a few minutes’ walk reveals one of the most spectacular views in western Greece, and incredible sunsets!

Nothing in Assos is overstated; this is a traditional Ionian fishing village that has retained its charm.

Insiders’ Tips on What to do in Assos

For those visitors looking for things to do close by, look no further than the scenic village of Assos itself. Aside from the three beaches of the village, there is a secluded beach close to the villas accessible only by sea, Ammos tou Grammatikou (Sands of the Lettered/Literary). You can reach it either by a short swim, with the use of an inflatable mattress or a local boat.

There are also boats available for rental by local fisherman to take you fishing, and speed boats which can take you parachute gliding to land on the local beach.

The defining feature of the area is the impressive Venetian castle built in 1570, located on a promontory above the village, where you can enjoy some of the most spectacular views on the island.

Tip: Best time to visit the castle is at sunset to admire the kaleidoscope of colors.

Welcome to Kefalonia!

Check out our “insider’s tips” to get the most out of your day trips around Kefalonia island.

The Greek island of Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian islands, which are a chain of seven islands located west of mainland Greece in the Ionian Sea. The unique combination of green forested hillsides combined with the island’s indented coastline of limestone cliffs overlooking turquoise bays, makes its beaches some of the best places to visit on Kefalonia (or Cephalonia, as it’s also known). There are a variety of other Kefalonia tourist attractions, ranging from the caves of Melissani to day trips to small, isolated beaches. Wherever your interests lie, Kefalonia offers a long list of “best things to do” while on this magnificent island.

Best places to visit in Kefalonia.

1. Myrtos Beach

Myrtos Beach has been described as one of the most dramatic beaches in Greece, consisting as it does of over a mile-long arc of dazzling while pebbles. It has been voted for over 12 times as the best beach in Greece and is considered by many tourist magazines to be one of the 30 best beaches in the world. The color of the sea embraces the changing hues as the light changes, ranging from light to dark to electric blue to turquoise. Enjoying a bracing swim here is definitely one of the best things to do in Kefalonia. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the beach while approaching by car along a 2 km. steep, winding road from the village of Divarata, or reach the beach from the sea by private boats and yachts.

2. Melissani Lake

One of the best places to visit in Kefalonia is Melissani Lake, which is located about 5 km. SE of Agia Efthimia and was discovered in 1951. It is considered a natural wonder of the island and consists of a dark cave above a hidden subterranean lake. In Greek mythology, Melissani was known as the Cave of the Nymphs, an alluring and mysterious place. What makes the lake especially attractive to visitors is that due to a collapse in the roof of the cave in 1953, rays of sunlight strike the lake below at an angle that creates thousands of reflections. During the summer, small rowboat tours are offered, in which visitors can see the outer room of the cave with its glittering underwater reflections. You then pass next to a small island to enter a second room which is filled with an unusual display of stalactites, stalagmites and other unique rock formations.

Tip: Visits should be scheduled between 12 and 2 p.m., as the sun’s rays are the strongest then and the reflections on the water and along the walls of the cave are at their most impressive.

3. Drogarati Cave

One of the most interesting tourist attractions in Kefalonia is Drogarati Cave, which opened to the public in 1963, although its whereabouts was known to locals for decades earlier. Although the cave network is quite extensive, only the first part of the cave is accessible to visitors. This consists of two large rooms, the first of which is named the “Royal Balcony” and is characterized by impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations. The second room is named “Apotheosis”, as it resembles a church space with its rounded shape and 20-metre tall vaulted ceiling. There are also natural rock formations scattered throughout, which gives this room natural acoustics, lending it to be used as a concert space that can accommodate over 500 people on rare special occasions.

Tip: As the numerous steps leading to the cave entrance can be quite slippery, suitable non-slip footwear is recommended.

4. Fiskardo

The picturesque port town of Fiskardo is one of Kefalonia’s favorite places to visit for both yachters and fishermen. Its colorful, tiny houses are lined along the 2-km. long bay on which the port is located. A bustling tourist attraction, it offers a plethora of taverns, cafes and shops selling traditional Cephalonian products. Entertainment ranges from a lively night-life scene for evenings to day trips by boat to the nearby island of Ithaca.

Tip: Enjoy one of the best meals of your life by buying fish directly from the early-morning fishmongers’ market along the pier.

6. Xi Beach

One of the most unusual places to see in Kefalonia is Xi Beach, located near the town of Lixouri. The beach is a 4-km strip made up of a soft, red sand which is up to 50 meters wide in some places. The unusually – colored red sand is what makes Xi beach so unique. The sea slopes gently, offering a fairly shallow depth even several meters from the coast. Xi Bay offers two different areas, one that is organized with beach umbrellas, deck chairs and restaurants, and another that is far from amenities and presents a more natural aspect.